Campesino

If you’re like me you’ve spent a lot of time watching Amazon Prime and Netflix while hunkered down during the pandemic. Well I have one more for you to add to your list. It’s the film Campesino and it’s on Amazon Prime. It’s a documentary about Carl Oelerich, a skycap at the Salt Lake City airport, and amateur photographer. Carl has been going to Vinales, Cuba every year for 15+ years to document the life of the camposinos there. Campesinos (loosely translated to peasant farmer) work farms by hand. He been going there to document a way of life that is rapidly changing.

Carl is an amazing photographer. He gets in close, shoots B&W film, uses older equipment and does his own printing. His photos are stunning; they really capture the spirit of the people he’s photographing. You can see his some of his photos on instagram (carl.oelerich).

This video isn’t just about photography. It’s also about getting to know people and developing friendships with people you’ve come to know and care about. This includes the close friendship that developed with Juan, his guide and interpreter. It started out as a business relationship and now they are best friends. Watch it if you can, I think you’ll like it. The trailer about the film is below.